Counseling and Psychological Services

Sometimes when students present with difficulties that are causing some degree of functional impairment, the adjunctive prescription of psychotropic medication (antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, etc.) may be indicated. In these instances students are seen by CAPS psychiatrists for initial medication evaluations. If medication is prescribed, students will be scheduled for follow-up medication management appointments for the duration of the period that they remain on psychotropic medication. Psychiatric medication services may be provided to students for up to one year if needed at which point students will typically be referred into the private sector for longer-term psychiatric care.

Generally, psychotropic medication is prescribed in conjunction with psychotherapy. CAPS psychiatrists do not prescribe medication for students who are receiving psychotherapy at locations outside of CAPS. If a student commences psychotherapy and psychiatric services within CAPS and is subsequently referred into the private sector for longer-term psychotherapy, then psychiatric services will also be transferred into the private sector.

In a small percentage of cases, medication may be prescribed without a student's involvement in concurrent psychotherapy. Generally, this is done in relation to more chronic conditions where a student has previously received psychotherapy and needs only to remain on psychotropic medication for continued symptom management and relapse prevention.